SDF to form anti-NBC weapons medics unit

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SDF to form anti-NBC weapons medics unit

The Defense Ministry will deploy for the first time an anti-special weapons medics unit at the end of FY 2007 at the Ground Self-Defense Force Asaka Garrison in Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture.

According to explanations by the Tokyo Defense Facilities Administration Bureau to concerned municipalities, the unit, consisting of 70 members, is to examine and treat wounded troops in case of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons attacks.

The bureau also explained that in their exercises, the unit will use agents harmless to human bodies and the environment to train its personnel to use equipment that detects such special weapons and to promptly examine and treat wounded soldiers.

The new GSDF unit will be formed as a part of the realignment of the SDF based on the National Defense Program Outline that was drawn up in line with the U.S. forces realignment with the aim of enabling the SDF to deal with "new threats and diverse contingencies."

The unit is designed to cooperate with the SDF Central Readiness Group which takes the lead in the SDF's overseas activities.

In reply to an Akahata inquiry about the possibilities for the medic unit to be dispatched abroad, the Defense Ministry said, "We cannot deny the possibilities."
- Akahata, February 12, 2007